Earlier today, the United States Supreme Court ruled against Harvard College and the University of North Carolina. In a 6-3 decision, the justices rejected the colleges’ race-conscious admissions systems, finding that the programs violate the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment.

Below find reactions from Pennsylvania politicians.

this will be updated as more statements become available

“The decision by the Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action firmly uproots the standards and principles that have helped bring diversity to university admissions at every institution, including the Ivy League. We must remain vigilant and steadfast, and push for new admissions programs to ensure that racial minorities have a fair chance at attending a higher education institution.

This is a disappointing ruling from a Supreme Court that these days is all too centered along political and ideological lines, before considering the merits of a given case such as this one. This is not the outcome we had hoped for and certainly not one that should dismiss progress.” – Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chair Sen. Sharif Street

“I am extremely disheartened that the Supreme Court struck down affirmative action, a much-needed tool for ensuring young people of every race and background get a shot at a great college education and a full, happy life,” said Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny). “Along with my colleagues in the PA Senate Democratic Caucus, I will continue to champion legislation that delivers a great higher-education experience for every Pennsylvanian.”

“Today, the Supreme Court put our nation in reverse by ending affirmative action in college admissions.  For a nation that has repeatedly rejected comprehensive reparations for Black Americans, affirmative action has been a narrow remedy to the oppression of 200 years of enslavement, 100 years of Jim Crow terror and segregation, and continued systemic racial discrimination.

“The Court’s decision makes way for new 21^st century segregation.  Now college admission officers and recruiters are told to put back on the same blinders that prevented them from seeing black talent for centuries.” – State Sen. Art Haywood (D-Philadelphia)

“A year after the Dobb’s ruling rescinded a woman’s right to an abortion, SCOTUS – an unelected and unaccountable body – again reversed a long-time precedent that may negatively impact millions of Americans. Today’s ruling ending the use of affirmative action in higher education admissions hurts all students but is especially detrimental to Black and brown students who are already underrepresented on many college campuses. This is incredibly disappointing at a time when we need to be doing more to foster diversity and inclusion, not less. In Pennsylvania, we’ll continue to fight for equitable educational opportunities for every student.” – Speaker of the Pennsylvania House Rep., Joanna McClinton (D-Philadelphia/Delaware)

“This is an incredibly disappointing day for higher education in America. This continued rolling back of rights and norms and standards by the U.S. Supreme Court is a distressing trend. I will fight to make sure our children in Pennsylvania have the same rights and opportunities as their parents and grandparents,” said state Rep. Donna Bullock, chair of the Pennsylvania Legislation Black Caucus. “We cannot walk away from our commitment to diversity in Pennsylvania, and we hope and have faith that our state universities will continue to honor those commitments.”

“I am saddened by the court’s ruling on affirmative action, but not at all surprised. I know that our universities place more value on diverse student bodies than this court does, so I am encouraged by their commitment to other admission practices that will overcome the loss of this necessary tool,” state Rep. Napoleon Nelson, vice chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus.

As a Black woman who had the audacity to attend college, I am disgusted that our country just enshrined racial inequity in higher education and economic immobility into law with this unelected & illegitimate SCOTUS’s ruling ending affirmative action. 1/ pic.twitter.com/PKgvvgUPHn

— Congresswoman Summer Lee (@RepSummerLee) June 29, 2023

Access to higher education has been crucial in the lives of so many Black, Brown, and immigrant families, including mine. SCOTUS’s ruling on affirmative action is conservative revanchism, showing that our justices are—yet again—at odds with an America fighting to be better.

— Senator Nikil Saval (@SenatorSaval) June 29, 2023

“Affirmative action has been a crucial tool in addressing historical and ongoing disparities faced by underrepresented groups, including women, people of color and individuals from low-income backgrounds. It has played a pivotal role in leveling the playing field and opening doors of opportunity for those who have been historically disadvantaged, particularly for our sons and daughters here in Pennsylvania.

“The Supreme Court’s decision disregards the systemic barriers that persist and perpetuate inequality in our society. By dismantling affirmative action, it sends a damaging message that the struggles faced by marginalized communities can simply be overlooked and ignored.” – PA Legislative Latino Caucus

Under John Roberts the Supreme Court has gutted the Voting Rights Act, Roe v. Wade and now Affirmative Action. It’s sick, but sadly not a shock.

— Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (@malcolmkenyatta) June 29, 2023

Affirmative action programs have been instrumental for decades in reversing centuries of racial discrimination in higher education. Once again, right-wing extremists and their puppet judges have proven they are on the wrong side of history. https://t.co/ruihRZmoxq

— Dwight Evans (@DwightEvansPA) June 29, 2023

Today’s decision by the Supreme Court moves our country further away from being able to provide equal opportunity for all. Anytime we remove a tool, such as Affirmative Action, it makes it difficult for our children to get a great education. pic.twitter.com/FDovqH1PRy

— Mayor Ed Gainey (@MayorEdGainey) June 29, 2023

Today the Supreme Court upended the basic concept that diversity is our strength as a country.

Institutions of higher education are places where people of all backgrounds come to learn more about themselves and the world around them.

— Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) June 29, 2023

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against Affirmative Action programs at UNC & Harvard.

Please visit https://t.co/tFhqBTyRWF to view my statement on their decision in its entirety. pic.twitter.com/vc8Wq0UbQZ

— Rep. Aerion Abney (@RepAbney) June 29, 2023

Today's SCOTUS ruling on Affirmative Action seeks to further divide an already deeply divided country. With no mention of the privilege that "legacy" students routinely receive, this decision by the court is nothing more than a direct attack on education equity & racial justice. pic.twitter.com/8GxIGaYtvm

— Senator Katie Muth (@SenatorMuth) June 29, 2023